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The long and protracted wait by the 76ers to get center Andrew Bynum on the floor ended Friday as the center participated in a spirited practice, according to multiple sources.

According to at least two of the sources, Bynum, who has been working out with coaches and team medical personnel exclusively, participated in a five-on-five scrimmage with teammates. Just how long the scrimmage lasted was unknown.

This is a huge step for Bynum and the Sixers, who have just 30 games remaining in the regular season, including Saturday's game with the defending champion Miami Heat, winners of nine straight. For both parties, the most important element now is to see how Bynum's knees react in the coming days.

Earlier this week, Bynum, who has been recovering from bilateral bone bruises and weakened cartilage in both knees, told reporters that he thought he might be able to begin practicing with his teammates in one or two weeks. He also has said that he had ramped up his activity in recent days.

However, if Bynum does not experience any pain on Saturday, there exists, according to one source, the possibility that he could resume practicing sooner. Oftentimes, practicing 5-on-5 is the final step for an injured player before he plays in actual games.

The Sixers have exercised extreme caution with Bynum since acquiring the 7-foot, 300-pound center in a 12-player, four-team trade in August. Bynum, who spent the first seven years of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, earned second-team all-NBA honors last season after averaging 18.7 points on 55.8 percent shooting. He also averaged 11.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.

He is making $16.8 million this season.

At the time of the trade, the Sixers said that Bynum's knees were reasonably healthy. However, right before training camp began on Oct. 2, the Sixers reported that Bynum was suffering from a bone bruise to his right knee that would prevent him from participating.

At the time, the Sixers also reported that they hoped to have Bynum, who traveled to Germany to have a noninvasive procedure on his knees - Orthokine therapy - in late September, ready at the start of the regular season.

That deadline came and went. Since that time, Bynum, who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer, suffered another bone bruise to his left knee, an injury he said resulted from bowling.

In November, the Sixers dispensed with timelines. They have listened to the center and have allowed him to tell them when he would be ready to play. Sixers coach Doug Collins, whose playing career was cut short by injury, has said that he agreed that allowing Bynum to determine when his body was ready to return.

The Sixers allow reporters to see portions of each practice at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. This has included segments at the end of practice. Bynum has been seen working out on the elliptical machine and the team's antigravity machine, a mechanism that allows the player to get extensive cardiovascular work without putting too much strain on the joints or ligaments.

Brian Windhorst of ESPN wrote: Andrew Bynum practiced Friday with the Philadelphia 76ers for the first time since they traded for him last August. But instead of it being a positive moment, it only seemed to depress coach Doug Collins.

Speaking before the 76ers hosted the Miami Heat on Saturday night, Collins said Bynum's brief 5-on-5 workout only showed how far away he is from being able to play, and hinted at just what a lost season this has been for the team.

"He looked like a guy who hadn't played in nine months," Collins said. "I don't think any bells and whistles should be sent off that he's close to playing."

Bynum has been giving weekly updates on the condition of his knees, though he's often offered contradictory information. His return date from bone bruises in both knees has constantly been pushed back.

"I'll definitely be back sometime this year," Bynum said earlier this week. "I'm focused on getting back and being right versus trying to rush."

The recent hope that Bynum could return around the All-Star break was the latest to be dashed for the 76ers, who have been decimated by injuries this season. Jason Richardson, who was acquired with Bynum in a blockbuster offseason deal, had knee surgery this week and is expected to miss six to nine months.

Collins said watching Bynum go through a little practice only left him disappointed considering just how much the team's big plans have been ruined by Bynum's constant knee issues.

"It's amazing seeing him standing out there; he distorted the whole practice," Collins said. "You get visions of what might've been ... He's said that he's going to play, but this season is slipping away. We've got 24 games after (this weekend). We're eight (games) under .500, and we've got to play the Miami Heat four times."

I'm not sure I'd offer him the max. He's shown what he could do when he's healthy, but how often has that been?

Not enough for my taste. People are talking about maybe not giving Howard max money? Well what would you do with Bynum? I think potential might demand a max offer, but I also might see what he gets on the open market before just handing him that money.

therealdeal wrote:I'm not sure I'd offer him the max. He's shown what he could do when he's healthy, but how often has that been?

Not enough for my taste. People are talking about maybe not giving Howard max money? Well what would you do with Bynum? I think potential might demand a max offer, but I also might see what he gets on the open market before just handing him that money.

Unfortunately for the Sixers, if they don't offer Bynum the max, some other stupid team will (see ATL, DAL, etc). And what a frustrating year for the Sixers...they gave up assets to get Bynum, and they're on the outside looking in right now for the playoffs...they were right in the thick of the playoffs last year, and because of Andrew's injury, they are scrapping to make the playoffs right now. Sixers fans must HATE andrew.

Well all I'm saying is that if I were Philly, I'd wait until another team offered him that deal before offering it first. If it was on the table, then of course I go max, but I HAVE to think teams are wary of giving this guy money.

therealdeal wrote:Well all I'm saying is that if I were Philly, I'd wait until another team offered him that deal before offering it first. If it was on the table, then of course I go max, but I HAVE to think teams are wary of giving this guy money.

ESPECIALLY under this new CBA.

I don't think so. I don't think the new CBA is gonna have much affect on players like Bynum who aren't exactly walking around in the NBA nowadays. I think for players like a Rudy Gay (who got the max), it's going to affect them more than players like Bynum. I think both ATL and HOU will offer Bynum the max because they have seen how he is when he IS healthy....and they''ll take that chance on a 4 yr max deal.

therealdeal wrote:Well all I'm saying is that if I were Philly, I'd wait until another team offered him that deal before offering it first. If it was on the table, then of course I go max, but I HAVE to think teams are wary of giving this guy money.

ESPECIALLY under this new CBA.

I don't think so. I don't think the new CBA is gonna have much affect on players like Bynum who aren't exactly walking around in the NBA nowadays. I think for players like a Rudy Gay (who got the max), it's going to affect them more than players like Bynum. I think both ATL and HOU will offer Bynum the max because they have seen how he is when he IS healthy....and they''ll take that chance on a 4 yr max deal.

We'll see. I bet Houston offers him that contract just to mess with Philadelphia like they did with New York and Chicago. But I just don't know how many people are going to be willing to spend 80 million dollars and 2/5s of their cap on such a massive injury risk.